Griffin And Swift Return To Training

The Connacht squad was boosted this week with the return of centre Eoin Griffin and lock Michael Swift, the province's most-capped player, to full training.

Eoin Griffin has been out of action since the Heineken Cup pool game against Harlequins in October, but the 22-year-old has now fully recovered from his ankle operation and will be available for selection for Saturday's derby clash with Munster in Galway.

Michael Swift has been absent for the last three weeks due to injury, however Connacht head coach Eric Elwood is confident that the 35-year-old lock will be available to face Munster.

With Nathan White and George Naoupu returning to the fold last weekend, the squad has received a timely boost ahead of their run of festive fixtures.

"It's great to have more and more of the guys back. You want a large squad to choose from, especially for the big games like derby matches," said Elwood.

Meanwhile, there were a few knocks and bruises picked up during last Friday night's 17-0 loss away to Biarritz.

Danie Poolman received an accidental knee to the head in the second half but the South African centre recovered well on his return to Galway. He was rested on Monday and returned to training today.

Flanker Willie Faloon has undergone surgery for the fractured eye socket he sustained in the home game against Biarritz. He is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

Kyle Tonetti returned from a week in Germany where he underwent intensive treatment on his recurring hamstring problem.

It is hoped that the centre will return to full training early next week ahead of the second installment of the back-to-back interprovincial ties.

Elwood added: "The derby matches are always special. Everyone wants to play in these games and at Christmas time, it's going to be a full house. It's never an issue getting up for a game like that, we will relish the challenge.

"We're very much looking forward to it and hopefully we can improve on our intensity levels from last week as we will certainly need it.

"When you're playing a powerhouse like Munster you've got to match them physically and you've got to have that high level of intensity in your game."

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.